FreightCasts

Significant concerns surround the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, which could leave major intermodal customers like J.B. Hunt, Schneider, and STG Logistics without coast-to-coast single-line service benefits. Intermodal analysts predict these companies may need to swap rail partners in the East to adapt to the new competitive landscape, with J.B. Hunt potentially shifting to CSX. 

The episode also highlights BNSF Railway's strong financial performance in the second quarter of 2025, where its pre-tax earnings rose by 11.5% to $2 billion. This gain was driven by lower operating costs, despite a decrease in average revenue per car due to factors like lower fuel surcharges. 

Furthermore, learn about the unfortunate closure of TGS Transportation, a California trucking company, after 40 years in business. This difficult decision was primarily influenced by the challenging market conditions currently facing the trucking industry. 

Tune in to hear all these freight industry updates and more, including a preview of today's WHAT THE TRUCK?!? episode on FreightWaves Television. Catch the replay on SiriusXM channel 146 at 6 p.m.

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On this episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, host Thomas Wasson teams up with special guest Malcolm Harris of Axle Logistics to dig into the wild world of freight brokerage. From declining freight volumes and tightening driver availability to game-changing mergers in the rail industry, they break down the state of the supply chain with insight and humor.
Also joining the show is Will Jenkins, CEO and founder of Journey, who shares his playbook for building high-performing brokerage teams, why training is essential to retention, and how success is defined across recruiting, consulting, and carrier partnerships.
Expect honest takes on tough markets, real stories from the trenches, and laughs along the way. Whether you're a broker, a driver, or just freight-curious, this episode is a full load.

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In this episode, we dive into the world of mobile refrigeration units. Our guest, Dany Gaviria, National Sales Manager at Polar King Mobile, breaks down the unique ways Polar King makes refrigeration and freezer solutions easy on the go. 

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On today's episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!?, we're diving into the biggest headlines in freight. We'll break down the "Shifting Gears" committee meeting where the ATA, OOIDA, and Teamsters clashed on the future of trucking, including the ATA's controversial push for more teen truckers. We'll also cover the commuter chaos in Cincinnati caused by an oversized load that missed its exit.

We've got a great lineup of guests:

Adam DeGroot, CEO of DeGroot Logistics and Dock411, is here to talk about the logistics behind supplying Chipotle and what's new with Dock411 and FreightSOS.

Garrett Allen, founder of SearchCarries.com and LoadPartners, joins us to discuss the world of carrier vetting and the power of social media in the freight tech space.

Chace Barber, founder and CEO of Edison Motors, gives us an update on their explosive growth, the challenges of building in Canada, and their brand new test track.

Plus, we'll talk about a rough week for Gen X icons and much more!

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NATO has issued a dire warning, stating that global ports face unprecedented cyber threats from state-linked actors, with attacks frequently traced back to Russia, Iran, and China. These sophisticated assaults target critical systems like access control and vessel traffic management, posing a severe risk to global supply chains and military logistics.

In rail news, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have confirmed advanced discussions for a potential merger that would create the first U.S. transcontinental railroad. While no assurance of a final agreement exists, Union Pacific's CEO emphasized that the railroad industry cannot stand still and requires change.

On the trucking front, Heartland Express reported its eighth consecutive net loss in the second quarter, totaling nearly $11 million, or 14 cents per share. This performance was worse than analyst expectations and the prior year's loss, despite the company noting some sequential improvement from the first quarter.

Looking ahead, FreightWaves TV has new episodes of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? at noon and Running on Ice at 2 PM today. You can also catch the replay of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? this evening on SiriusXM channel 146.

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What's it really like to ride in a self-driving semi-truck? We go beyond the press releases for an exclusive, in-cab look at Bot Auto's autonomous truck navigating the real-world challenges of Houston, from complex overpasses to busy traffic.

Join Thomas Wasson for this special episode of Track Tech Live as he rides along to see the technology in action. The conversation covers more than just the impressive driving; we cover the business philosophy that could define the future of autonomous freight. Discover why Bot Auto's "trucking first" approach, relentless focus on cost-per-mile (CPM), and lean operational strategy set it apart.

A huge thank you to the entire team for the access and the insightful conversation!

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Trucking and logistics company Forward Air is on the verge of a potential acquisition⁠, with several private equity firms, including Clearlake Capital and Apollo Global Management, submitting bids, causing its shares to surge 10%. This interest follows intense pressure from activist investors after the company's heavily contested merger with Omni Logistics, which shareholders criticized for its structure and the large debt burden it placed on Forward.

In maritime news, ⁠a historic order has been placed for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel to be built at a Philadelphia shipyard⁠, marking the first of its kind in the U.S. in nearly 50 years. This joint-build project by Hanwha Ocean and Hanwha Philly Shipyard aims to comply with new rules proposed by the United States Trade Representative, which are designed to counter China’s dominance in shipping and shipbuilding by requiring a percentage of U.S. LNG exports to be transported on U.S.-flagged and crewed vessels.

On the railroad front, ⁠CSX reported a decline in its second-quarter profits, with operating income falling 11% and revenue decreasing 3%⁠. Despite these financial setbacks, executives expressed encouragement regarding the railroad's operational recovery during the quarter, highlighting improvements in on-time performance. CSX anticipates overall volume growth for the year, driven by numerous industrial development projects becoming operational and the ongoing conversion of freight from highway to intermodal transport.

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In this episode of The Long Haul, Adam sits down with Mike Ernst, President of Expedite All and a 25-year freight industry veteran, to talk about one of the most slept-on opportunities in trucking: Small Truckload (STL). From cargo vans to box trucks and straight trucks, STL is on the rise—driven by tight delivery windows, high-value freight, and a shift away from one-size-fits-all shipping. Mike breaks down what STL really is, why it’s not just a local play, and how smart carriers can step in now and build consistency in a volatile market. If you’re running under CDL or thinking about diversifying your equipment—this episode is your blueprint.

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